I walked into the local gun store today, and I came across this knife that intrigued me. It is shaped like a rifle or shotgun. I had never seen anything like this before. I know Smith & Wesson will put their name on anything, and I wasn't all that surprised to find out the knife is made by Taylor Brands LLC. My expectations were minimum...but I still bought it due to the design.

This is called a Shotgun Lock. An interesting lever that you have to push right to lock and unlock the knife blade. Added bonus, it looks good.

On the blade is laser etched Smith & Wesson and the model of the knife.

The underside shows the blade storage groove and part of that Shotgun locking mechanism. Also note that the locking mechanism metal sleeve is a tad larger than the squared off wooden body...leaving a nice space big enough to run a thumbnail in. After pressing, wiggling, and pretty much trying to abuse the body, there was no flexing, or looseness evident. Solid but there is that finish issue. But then, it is a Taylor Brands LLC product after all.

Now, the blade did not come all that sharp. A few strokes on a sharpener did the job nicely to my satisfaction. It sharpened rather easily, so I am thinking it may dull equally easily. I won't know till I do some testing. On the upside, the shape is very ergonomic. I mean, super comfortable. The butt stock fits in my big mitts like it was made for it. The square locking mechanism and plenty of steel makes the knife feel good in the hand. What I find awkward is that locking mechanism. It feels rather natural if you hold the knife in your left hand. Not so if you hold the knife in your right hand. Having to cock the mechanism to the right felt uncomfortable, necessitating several changes in position to operate that mechanism. Left handers can lock and unlock the tool easily as your pushing to the right. Hard for a right hander to push towards your hand.